I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix 3800 series III V-6. The problem is this. About 3 weeks ago I took the car to my local Wal-Mart for an oil change. I came back to pick up the car and I was told by the tech that he had to jump the car to make it start and he suspected a bad starter. He could not define exactly why he thinks it is a bad starter. Since then the car has started every time every day except I have noticed that about 3 times now the information for date and time are off and I have had to reset everything. Finally this morning the wife calls me and said it is dead. I have checked the battery voltage with my volt ohm meter and have 12.4 volts. Under load when I try to start the voltage drops to just under 8 volts. Also, I noticed just opening the door to get into the car the voltage dropped to 9.99 volts. This car has 54K miles on it. Could these guys have hurt something jumping the car or would it be that I indeed have a bad battery or worse yet a starter issue. Already Tried: Tested battery for 12 volt. 12 volt is present until I try to start. Voltage drops to under 8 volts.

Answer;

This is a classic description of a bad battery. Put in a new battery and all will be good once more. The battery volts should not go below 10 volts under load.

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MOMENTARY LOCK UP OF THE DRIVE WHEELS IF THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH AND THE OPERATOR SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE.

Consequence:

IF THE DRIVE WHEELS LOCKED UP, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

I have a 1998 Honda Civic HX and every time after a stop it stutters when moving off. Any idea what causes that problems it has 209,000 miles

Answer:

There are several things it could be. The first thing to check is the state of tune the engine is in. Have you tuned it up lately. It could be that simple. The second place to look is the fuel pressure, and fuel filter. Have the fuel pressure tested to see if it is up to specs, and change out the fuel filter too. Then I would like you to check for vacuum leaks, these can cause lots of problems. It would also be a good idea to run some fuel injector cleaner through the fuel system, because dirty injectors could contribute to this problem.

Do you see a yellow check engine light on your dash. Sometimes they say check engine, or service soon. This is your on board diagnostic system. This system diagnoses problems and stores it as a code. This trouble code will often tell you what is malfunctioning on your engine. You don’t have to go to a dealer or a shop to have these codes read. There is a little known secret that most larger auto parts stores will read these codes for you for no charge. It helps them to sell parts, and to build customer loyalty.

If all of this does not fix the issue, then you need to look at your MAP sensor. This device can cause the symptoms you are having. You need to go through the basics I described before you get to this sensor.

Have to hand it to Honda — the company promised its zero-emissions vehicle, the FCX Clarity, would be available this summer, and they technically beat that deadline by about a week. The future-y sedan, which is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is now available in limited quantities (only a few dozen this year, which were quickly snapped up by SoCal celebs) in Southern California and costs $600 a month to lease. Buying it outright isn’t an option, apparently.

That’s just as well, since there are hydrogen fuel stations in only three cities in California right now. Fuel-cell technology is clearly still in the early part of the early-adopter phase, but with Honda making its move maybe we’ll start to see more of them. However, Honda’s production schedule of 200 units over the next three years is fairly unambitious (surely the hydrogen fuel stations will be able to handle more than that). And it would be nice if they started mixing up the design of these things — this fuel-cell car design from GM looks pretty much cribbed from the FCX.

I have a 1998 Toyota Camry V-6 (1MZ-FE) engine, with automatic transmission, not a California car, that has a check engine light. I took it to the local Advance Auto store and their tester indicated that the O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction (bank 1 sensor 1) had failed. The sensor was replaced and the system was reset by removing the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then reconnected. After driving a few miles the check engine light came on again. There seems to be a difference of opinion if there are one or two O2 sensors prior to the catalytic converter. What is your suggestion??

Answer:

There are (2) O2 sensors prior to the catalytic converter. Each sensor is located in the exhaust manifold assembly. One in the front (radiator side) and one in the rear (firewall side). Bank 1 Sensor 1 is the back sensor (firewall side).

With gas prices over $4.00 a gallon and no sign of the cost coming down anytime soon, many drivers are looking at the hybrid and thinking it may be the answer to there problem. The thinking behind the hybrid is great but for today’s consumers I would recommend against the purchase for several reasons. Right now today, the hybrids do not get much better fuel mileage than your normal economy gas getter and the cost of the hybrid is much higher, meaning you will have to wait 5 years before you actually start saving money. Another reason to avoid the hybrid is the fact that it is all new technology. New isn’t always better. In the case of the hybrids, car company’s are working on producing there 3rd generation of them already, which means the first 2 generations were not that good and will be difficult and expensive to parts and repairs. I recommend waiting for the cost to come down, and it will. Also wait for the technology to work out the bugs. Once the prices become fair and the bugs are worked out, these new hybrids will be a more excepted purchase.

Look for 3 new hybrids from Honda , 2 New Hybrids from Toyota and eventually GM will get it together and put the Volt on the market for purchase(probably around 2010).

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